The must-haves this Fall/Winter, in my opinion

“Since you work in fashion, can you tell us what we’ll be wearing this winter?” Ah yes, the dreaded question for anyone in the industry. It sneaks up on you when you least expect it, especially around this time of year. You can steer clear of gatherings of not-so-close friends (because your BFFs would never walk you into this one when you’re out letting your hair down on a Friday night).

You can dodge your aunt at least until after Halloween, or fake a coughing fit when the lawyer sitting next to you at a charity dinner asks you, in all good faith, for fashion insights. But eventually, your guard slips. Maybe at the bakery. And boom, all heads turn, expectantly waiting for the answer.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve tried to explain, without sounding preachy, that, thankfully, we no longer live in an era where trends are dictated top-down by brands and rubber-stamped by the press. That trends today are more like ideas, meant to be interpreted based on how we feel, who we are, and how we relate to our own bodies. To urge people to first ask themselves a question: does what I wear make me feel good? 

• Jacket and pencil skirt suit in total grey black. Boring? Not at all, if you see it as the perfect blank canvas for your own personal twist. A sexy lady wearing stiletto heels, and a jacket over bare skin. Power dressing with a twist, if you replace the classic black turtleneck with a lemon yellow one, and so on and so forth.
• The white poplin shirt with an oversized bow collar. Refined under a blazer, stylish over jeans: you’ll never tire of it.
• The spotted shirt dress, and don’t tell me you wouldn’t dare wear a bold pattern – just tone it down with low heels and minimal makeup.

• The white, double-fabric jacket in wool and cashmere. During mid-season it acts as outerwear. When the temperature drops, pair it with trousers as part of a separates suit. Try brick red instead of the usual black, just to break out of the routine for a moment.
• Slingback court shoes with an ostrich-effect animal print. Beautiful with bare legs or sheer tights and, why not, with cashmere socks rolled down to the ankles.